KUCHING: The reconstruction of eight units of shop lots destroyed by the February 4 fire is expected to begin early next year.
The fire occurred at 1pm during Chinese New Year eve, and destroyed four sundry shops, two coffee shops, a motorcycle repair shop and a hardware store.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas met the owners here yesterday and informed them of the reconstruction plan and would leave it to them to look for the contractor.
“I hope you all can agree on the appointment of the contractor soon.
“The construction can hopefully begin January next year for the shop lots to be ready for business by December,” he said.
Uggah, who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, distributed public donations for the reconstruction to some of the victims. He was accompanied by Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat.
A special fund that was set up has managed to collect about RM300,000 from members of the public, including the two elected representatives who each donated RM40,000.00.
Dr Richard Rapu, a political secretary to the Chief Minister, and Betong District Council secretary Charlie Keling were among those present at the presentation ceremony.
